Migraine in Women: What Specificities? A Review

Abstract

The migraine is a chronic neurological disease that affects 10 to 12% of the population, with a clear preponderance females and this from puberty. The women report a longer attack duration. Presence and severity of associated symptoms, such as photophobia, phonophobia, nausea, vomiting, and cutaneous allodynia are more prevalent in women. Some clinical forms are well described as catamenial migraine. Several comorbidities have been described in migraine women. Among these diseases associated with migraine: vascular diseases, asthma, allergies, epilepsy, restless legs syndrome, and various chronic pain syndromes and psychiatric disorders. Treatment of migraine in women raises the difficulty of managing seizures and during pregnancy and the period of menstruation. The therapeutic difference mainly concerns menstrual migraine. In women with migraine, it is therefore recommended to be particularly attentive to comorbidities, the presence of which significantly increases the risk of arterial vascular events. Migraine is very common with a particular impact on the quality of life of women. These various specificities and their evolution over time must lead to continuous training of general practitioners, other specialists in women's health including gynecologists in order to reduce the morbidity of the disease by better prevention of crises through the harmonization of research by scientific societies from different continents.

Prevalence of Migraine and Trigger Factors among Adult Rural Sudanese Population 2018

“…The treatment is either pharmacological such as different analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-emetics and 5-HT1B/1D receptor agonists or nonpharmacological such as behavioral treatment including relaxation training, cognitive behavioral therapy, biofeedback, stress management training, acupuncture, physical therapy, mindbody treatment options like meditation and yoga, dietary supplements and nerve therapy. However, the first recommended measures in management of patient having migraine include: improvements in lifestyle, change of eating behavior and the identification of modifiable predisposing and triggering factors [16]. Information about headache and migraine in Sudan is scarce.…”